Bootlegger Beans

Take your taste buds on a journey with these smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet Bootlegger Beans—a bold twist on classic baked beans. This savory dish features crispy thick-cut bacon, tender navy beans, and a rich bourbon-infused sauce made with ketchup, molasses, and brown sugar for the perfect balance of sweetness and depth. Hints of smoked paprika and Dijon mustard add layers of flavor, while apple cider vinegar delivers a zesty tang. Slowly baked for a velvety texture and enhanced by the magic of bourbon, these beans are a true crowd-pleaser. Perfect as a hearty side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or cozy dinners, Bootlegger Beans bring a taste of southern-inspired comfort to any table!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 slices Thick-cut bacon
• 1 medium Yellow onion
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 3 cups Canned navy beans
• 0.5 cups Ketchup
• 0.25 cups Molasses
• 0.25 cups Brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 0.25 cups Bourbon
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 0.5 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Dice the thick-cut bacon into small pieces and add it to a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 3

Finely chop the yellow onion and mince the garlic. Add both to the pan with the reserved bacon fat and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).

Step 4

Drain and rinse the canned navy beans, then add them to the pan with the cooked onions and garlic.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, bourbon, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, kosher salt, and water.

Step 6

Pour the sauce over the beans. Stir to combine evenly, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Step 7

Stir in the cooked bacon pieces and mix well.

Step 8

Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil, then transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 75 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure the flavors meld together.

Step 9

After 75 minutes, remove the cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.

Step 10

Remove the Bootlegger Beans from the oven and let them sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy them as a side dish or on their own!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	672.7 grams (672.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1093

Total Fat 38.90g	50%
Saturated Fat 13.00g	65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 64mg	21%
Sodium 2472mg	107%
Total Carbohydrate 138.30g	50%
Dietary Fiber 2.90g	10%
Total Sugars 121.20g
Protein 13.40g	27%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 248mg	19%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 1648mg	35%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.6%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 57.8%